Japan records unprecedented low birth rate since 1899

By: Emmanuel Akyereko

The number of new born babies in Japan each year has hit a record low and is not expected to rise above 700,000 newborns, according to the economic think tank group of the Deloitte Tohmatsu Group.

From January to October 2024, the number of newborn babies in the Island nation stood at 603,638.

This figure is below 700,000 and represents the lowest ever record since the Japanese government began compiling these vital statistics in 1899.

In a research conducted by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research in 2023, it was predicted that by 2038 the number of new babies born in Japan each year will be below 700,000. But, it has happened for the first time 14 years earlier than predicted.

The alarming figures once again highlights Japan’s issues of population decline and echoes a call for action.

Per the records, the number of births from January to October was 603,638, down 4.9% from the same period last year.

According to a mid-range estimate of the future population released by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research in 2023, the number of births in Japan will fall below 700,000 in 2038.

Koji Okuda, who is the chief researcher at the DTFA Institute an economic think tank of the Deloitte Tohmatsu Group, the total number of births recorded from January to December 2024 stands at 720,000.

However, this list includes newborns of foreign residents and the number sharply reduces to 690,000 the new births are limited to Japanese nationals only.

Photo Credit: Asahi Shimbun file photo